Philip Sheridan

Philip Sheridan (6 March 1831-5 August 1888) was a " General of the Army of the United States" who was a veteran of the American Civil War and Plains Indian Wars. The son of Irish immigrants, Sheridan was a brave figure that inspired his men, and commanded cavalry during the Overland Campaign. Sheridan's Valley Campaign ended in success in the Battle of Cedar Creek in October 1864.

== Biography ==

The soon of poor Irish immigrants, Philip Sheridan obtained a place at West Point by lucky chance. An undistinguished officer until the Civil War, his outstanding performance in the western theaterin 1862 earned him promotion from captain to Major-General. He showed aggression and resolve leading infantry at Chickamauga and Chattanooga in the fall of 1863, and in spring 1864 was brought east by Grant to lead the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac.

His cavalry adopted a mass-raiding role, which led to Confederate Jeb Stuart's death at the Battle of Yellow Tavern. In August 1864, Sheridan was ordered to clear the Shenandoah Valley of Confederates. His scorched-earth campaign devastated the area and was accompanied by hard-fought combat in which he proved an excellent commander. In the final campaign of the war, he cornered Lee at Appomattox, forcing his surrender.